1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to rule. He ruled 31 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
2 Josiah did what the Lord said was right. He followed God like his ancestor David. Josiah obeyed God’s teachings—he did exactly what God wanted.
3 During the 18th year that Josiah was king, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the Lord’S Temple. Josiah said,
4 “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest. Tell him that he must get the money that people brought to the Lord’S Temple. The gatekeepers collected that money from the people.